A WILLIAMSTOWN garage owner appeared before Tuam District Court charged with threatening to kill a client who refused to pay the amount demanded for repairing his vehicle.
It is alleged that Fergal Doherty, Kilnalag, Williamstown poured liquid over the victim, Ethan Sharkey, and threatened to set him alight unless he paid over the money demanded.
The defendant is charged under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offence Against the Person Act which states that it is an offence to threaten “by any means, intending the other to believe it will be carried out, to kill or cause serious harm to that other or a third person shall be guilty of an offence.”
Judge James Faughnan heard Garda evidence that Gardaí were summoned to an incident in Williamstown on February 2, 2024. Doherty and Sharkey were known to each other as Doherty had carried out work on his vehicle. He requested a sum but Sharkey only paid half and refused to pay the rest as he was unhappy with the work carried out.
The incident before the Court happened in the Square, Williamstown at 7.15am in the morning. Judge Faughnan said at least all involved were early risers.
It is alleged that Doherty pulled Sharkey from a vehicle and demanded payment of the money he felt he was owed. It is also alleged that the defendant sprayed petrol over Sharkey and pulled him to the ground, either kicking him in the stomach or kneeling on his stomach.
The Court was told the alleged victim claims Doherty told him: “I’m going to burn you”.
The two men were separated by men who worked for Ethen Sharkey. Judge Faughnan asked if the money issued had been sorted out. He accepted jurisdiction and adjourned the case until the May 26 sitting of Tuam Court.
